Stormer HVM Short - Range Air Defense Missile System

The Stormer HVM (High Velocity Missile) is aalso effective against ground targets. It is
short-range air defense system. It was developedestimated, that darts have sufficient kinetic
primarily to counter the threat of attackenergy to penetrate the front armor of an IFV.
helicopters and low-flying aircraft posed toEight ready to fire missiles are stored in the
armored formations. This air defense system is inlaunchers and up to 12 reload missiles are carried
service with the British Army. The first of 151inside the hull. It is worth mentioning that the
systems entered service in 1997. The only exportStarstreak missiles are also launched form a
operator is Oman.three-round lightweight launcher and a man
This air defense system is equipped withportable shoulder launcher.
Starstreak HVM missiles. Launchers are locatedVehicle has a roof-mounted panoramic weapon
towards the rear together with their targetsight and an air defense alerting device for target
sensors. The Starstreak missiles have arecognition and prioritization. The Stormer air
two-stage solid propellant rocket motor and traveldefense system is capable of rapid engagement
at more than three times the speed of soundand has a high hit probability.
(Mach 3.5). Each missile contains three high-densityVehicle has a crew of three, including commander,
darts with impact fuses and explosive warheads,operator and driver.
to make multiple hits on the target. The darts areThis air defense system is based on a modified
released as the second stage of the motor burnsAlvis Stormer armored personnel carrier chassis.
out. Missiles have a range of 1 500 - 5 500Vehicle is powered by a Perkins turbocharged
meters and can counter even high performancediesel engine, developing 250 hp. It seems that
low-flying aircraft. Service ceiling for these missilesthis missile carrier is amphibious with some
is 1 000 m. The Starstreak HVM has apreparation.
semi-automatic line of sight laser beam ridingSources from the UK MoD claim, that since 2009
guidance. Missiles are guided on the target by theStormers are being gradually decommissioned,
operator, who tracks the target using the opticallymainly because the threat of an airborne attack
stabilized sight.on Western forces has almost completely
It is worth noting, that the Starstreak missiles aredisappeared.